Dispensing container with sifter top



Dec. 29, 1953 G. c. ERB

DISPENSING CONTAINER WITH SIFTER TOP Filed Nov. 10, 1949 IIIII"I'I' I INVEN TOR.

Patented Dec. 29, 1953 DISPENSING CONTAINER WITH SIFTER TOP George C. Erb, deceased, late of Flushing, N. Y.,

by Annie B. Erb, executrix, Flushing, N. Y., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application November 10, 1949, Serial No. 126,642 4 Claims. (01. 222-548) The present invention relates to dispensing containers, and more particularly to a dredging container having a distinctive and novel sifter top construction.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sifter top container wherein the rotatable or slidable closure member is held in place by a shoulder formed by reshaping or collapsing the countersink wall of the stationary end member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a resilient connection between the slidable closure member and the stationary end member of a sifter container to overcome any tendency of the container to leak because of dimensional variations incurred in the manufacture or assemblin of these parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing container wherein the cylindrical depending wall of an inverted cup-shaped, rotatable closure member provides a gripping surface to facilitate rotation of the closure, the lower edge of the depending wall being utilized to secure the closure member to the container.

Yet another object is to provide a dredging container wherein a slidable closure member is held in contact with a stationary boss under spring tension to insure a tight, sift-proof engagement between the two.

A still further object is to provide a dispensing container of pleasing appearance, wherein an inverted cup-shaped closure member having a smooth, flat sifter surface elevated above the level of the end seam is adapted to nest within the countersunk bottom of a similar container to facilitate stacking.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container embodying the instant invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the upper end of the container shown in Fig. l, the view showing a closure member in place on the container prior to assembly therewith;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing the closure member assembled on the container, and showing in dotted lines the lower portion of another container in stacked relation; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating a modified form of the invention.

As a preferred or exemplary embodiment of the instant invention, Fig. 1 illustrates a container formed with a tubular body Ill, preferably cylindrical as shown. A bottom end member H is attached to the lower end of the body it in any suitable manner.

At the upper end of the body it a top end member I2 is secured thereto, preferably although not necessarily. by means of a double seam it. As shown in Fig. 2, the end member 12 is originally formed with a straight countersink wall it which constitutes the inner layer of and extends downwardly from the top of the double seam l3 and is connected by a curved wall section with an upwardly extending wall portion IE.

The wall portion It in turn merges into a fiat panel section I! to form a dome or boss 26 which is raised substantially above the level of the top of the double seam [3 (Fig. 3). The flat panel I! of the boss 20 is provided with suitable dispensing or sifter openings 22, through which the contents of the container may be removed when the container is inverted and shaken.

The size and disposition of the openings 22 will be determined by the nature of the container contents. In some cases it may be desirable to provide an opening large enough to permit filling of the container or the insertion of a tablespoon or other utensil for removal of a measured amount of the contents.

In order to close the openings 22 when desired, a cup-shaped outer slidable or rotatable closure member 25 is provided. The closure member 25 is formed with a flat panel 26 having therein openings 21 which are aligned to register with the openings 22 in the end panel l'l. Depending from the outer edge of the closure panel it is a substantially vertical cylindrical wall 28 provided with knurls or corrugations 29 to facilitate gripping when the closure is to be rotated. The lower edge of the wall 28 is preferably bent outwardly and upwardly to form an open curl 3&3, as shown in Fig. 2.

To secure the closure member 25 tightly to the other parts of the container, it is positioned upon the top end member i2 so that the closure panel 26 engages the end panel I! while the curl Bil preferably is disposed just above the curved section it of the end member i2 (see Fig. 2). When the parts are so positioned, the straight countersink wall Hi which forms the inner layer of the end seam i3, is collapsed or reshaped to form an inwardly extending shoulder 31 which projects over and engages against the closure curl 3% thus securing the closure to the end member i2. During this collapsing operation. the end member i2 and the closure 25 are both moved upwardly with respect to the end seam [3. Thus, the internal capacity of the container is increased. This collapsing or upsetting operation is described in detail in ap-plicants co-pending application Serial Number 126,641, filed November 10, 1949, and is done before the bottom end i l is secured onto the body IS to permit the insertion of an inside collapsing or upsetting mandrel or post.

As can be seen in Fig. 3, the shoulder 31 comprises a substantially horizontal wall 32, which extends inwardly from the top of the double seam and an inclined, reversely cent wall portion 33. The reversely bent wall 33 engages against the curl 3i) of the closure 25 and deforms the curl to some extent, thus providing a resilient connection between the closure 25 and the end member i2. This resilient connection permits considerable tolerance in the dimensions of the assembled parts and in the degree of collapse of the countersink wall [4.

The main deformation of the open curl by the shoulder 3! occurs in its. upper or terminal portion and is both inward and downward, as can be seen by comparing Figs. 2 and 3. The downward component of the pressure resulting from this deformation maintains the closure 25 under tension tightly against the boss 29, thus creating a substantially leakproof but relatively movable engagement between these two parts.

When the rotary sliding closure member 25 is in the position shown in Fig. 3, the openings 22 and 2! are in registry and the contents of the container may be dispensed through them. To close the container, the vertical closure wall 28, which extends upwardly a considerable distance above the end seam I3 is gripped by the consumer and. the closure is rotated to move the openings out of registry. The knurlings or corrugations 28 facilitate rotation of the closure member.

As can be seen in Fig. 3, the container of the instant invention is adapted for stacking. The broad flat-topped closure member 25 nests within the countersunk bottom end member I I of a similar container (illustrated in dot and dash lines), thus making it possible to build a non-slipping column of superposed containers.

Figure 4 illustrates one of several possible modifications of the invention. The container illustrated in this figure is similar to that in Figs. 1, 2, and The lower edge portion of the depending wall it, however, instead of being curled, is formed into an outwardly extending substantially straight flange 35. The inclined wall. of the shoulder 31 engages against the outer portion of the flange 35 and exerts a downward pressure. thereagainst which holds the closure 25 under tension against the boss 29. The flange 35 is preferably deformed downwardly by the wall 33 to maintain the desired spring tension.

The principles of the instant invention may obviously be embodied in other modified forms of 4 dispensing containers. A suggested example would be a reciprocating type of dredging container having a rectangular sliding closure member.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A. dispensing container comprising a body, an end member secured to said body in an upstanding end seam the inner layer of said seam being a portion of said end member, a. shoulder formed in only said inner layer of the seam and extending inwardly from said seam, a panel in said end member having a dispensing opening formed therein, a closure member having a rerforate inner portion disposed in close sliding con tact on said end member panel to cover and uncover said dispensing opening, and a marginal portion of said closure member projecting outwardly toward said end seam and en"aging un er said shoulder to retain said closure in place an. in close sliding contact upon said en". mem" er.

2. A dispensing container comprising bod an end member secured to said body in an upstanding end scam the inner layer of said seam being a portion of said end member, a sh-iruldcr formed in only said inner layer of the seam and extending inwardly from said seam, a panel in said end member having a dispensing opening formed therein, a closure member having a p forate inner portion disposed in close slil n contact on Slld end member panel to cover an uncover said dispensing opening, and a per eral curl on said closure member proiecting outwardly toward said end seam and engaging under said shoulder to retain raitl closure i place and in close sliding contact upon said end member.

3. A dispensing container comprising a bzd", an end member secured to said body in upstanding end seam the inner layer of said seam being a portion of said end member, said inner layer only of said end seam having a shoulder formed therein extending inwardly from the upper portion of the seam and thence downwardly and outwardly in an inclined wall, a panel in said end member having a dispensir; opening formed therein, a closure member having a perforate inner portion disposed in close sliding contact on said end member panel to cover and uncover said dispensing opening, and a marginal portion of said closure member projecting outwardly toward said end seam and engaging said inclined wall of the shoulder to retain said closure in place and in close sliding contact upon said end member.

4. A dispensing container comprising a body, an end member secured to said body in an upstanding double seam the inner layer of said seam being a portion of said end member, said inner layer only of said double seam having a shoulder formed therein extending inwardly from the upper portion of the seam and thence downwardly and outwardly in an inclined wall, a. fiat panel in said end member raised above the top of said seam and having a dispensing opening formed therein, a closure member having a flat perforate inner portion disposed in close sliding contact on said flat end member panel to cover and uncover said dispensing opening, and a marginal portion of said closure member projecting downwardly and outwardly toward said double seam and engaging said inclined wall of the shoulder to retain said closure in place and in close sliding contact upon said end member.

ANNIE B. ERB, Executria: of the estate of George C. Erb, de-

ceased.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Lagois Nov. 11, 1924 Peters Sept. 11, 1934 Peters Aug. 3, 1937 Cox Jan. 25, 1938 Thorn July 2, 1940 Ziehmer Feb. 9, 1943 Schlabach July 13, 1943 Pottle Aug. 14, 1951 

